Page 90 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue
With my nerves wracked, I rummaged through the satchel, fingers twisting in the makeshift kindling–the leather soles from the other boots, shredded as fine as my little improvised dagger had allowed.
I sprinkled the leather flecks onto the coals, slowly at first, to let the first sizzle. The acrid smell burned through my nose, as if trying to hook itself into my brain to always shamefully remind me I’d stolen from the very place–and people–I was escaping from.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw the courier depositing yesterday’s empty jars in the back of the carriage and making his last trip inside the shop.
Shit.
He was fast today.
I flung more of the kindling onto the coals.
A mistake.
The feather of smoke which had been slowly rising vanished.
My breath stuttered, rushing out of my lungs.
Allie, some things require patience, my father’s voice whispered in my mind, but it didn’t have his usual warm lilt.
No, this was a beckoning murmur, sent from beyond the grave.
Protect the Clan.
Avenge my death.
Survive.
None of that would be possible if I hyperventilated–or maybe…
I lowered my body, splaying my palms onto the cold ground. I used my frightened breaths to stoke the coals, which burned amber.
The shop bell rang.
I was running out of time.
Patience, Allie, my father’s voice resounded again.
Instead of blowing harder, I pursed my lips closer and let out a long gust of air. Slowly, the smoke began to rise through the mound of leather. So low to the ground and nestled against a stone wall, the fire would do nothing but attract attention and cause panic.
Which I needed desperately.
I huffed and coughed until the smoke billowed and stung my eyes. The city’s wind carried it down the alley and out in the market.
Perfect.
I jumped to my feet, ignored the white spots crowding my vision, and skulked to the other corner of the building.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Gods, I even prayed.
“Come on,” I whispered, watching the wind carry the smoke into the market.
What if the courier left before anyone noticed the smoke?
What if the wind snuffed it out?
